How do you get all units to have the same formation depth?

[Major]

I have had this problem a few times, and tried Googling it about twenty different ways but no dice. How do you get multiple units to have the same file (dept of the formation) but different rank (width of the formation)?

When my army has just fought a battle and every unit is depleted to a different degree, simply right click dragging creates a horrible wonky line of different rank and file. Which means some areas of my line are weaker than others.

The AI can do this very well and when the battle starts they are allready set up like this, but as soon as I interact with them they change rank and file willy nilly.

Any help would be appreciated.

[Varmint]

I've hoped for a "formation lock" for some time now - for just a single unit.
You can use the default formation depth if you only click or up arrow to step move. But once you've painted the unit, you will have to manually readjust depth as needed.
The Lock Formation at the group level helps somewhat - as it makes the paint formation technique a tad less necessary - and also works well with forward step. - altho, another detail I've been hoping for in Rome2 - that was in Shogun2 - is a walk speed forward step - as in Rome2 - I've yet to find a way to walk step. The run step tends to break formation too much - especially with Pikes.

[Kayeka]

Originally posted by appanugu:

I've hoped for a "formation lock" for some time now - for just a single unit.
You can use the default formation depth if you only click or up arrow to step move. But once you've painted the unit, you will have to manually readjust depth as needed.
The Lock Formation at the group level helps somewhat - as it makes the paint formation technique a tad less necessary - and also works well with forward step. - altho, another detail I've been hoping for in Rome2 - that was in Shogun2 - is a walk speed forward step - as in Rome2 - I've yet to find a way to walk step. The run step tends to break formation too much - especially with Pikes.

Can't you just toggle walk/run with R? Or am I completely misunderstanding you?

[Genghison]

Or hold "Ctrl" down when issueing the order?

[Varmint]

Originally posted by Genghison:

Or hold "Ctrl" down when issueing the order?

Try it - doesn't work.

[chef]

The ai can mircro manage these things, we have to do it unit by unit when the ai can do it right away.But I really like the Idea though, this is something that was really important especialy with empire total war line infantry.

[IRMcG]

Originally posted by appanugu:

Originally posted by Genghison:

Or hold "Ctrl" down when issueing the order?

Try it - doesn't work.

It works with group select and drag, otherwise just tap R as soon as you release the arrow key.

[Genghison]

Originally posted by appanugu:

Originally posted by Genghison:

Or hold "Ctrl" down when issueing the order?

Try it - doesn't work.

Sorry, I must be completely misunderstanding. If I select a single unit and single right click on the terrain ahead of it, it walks to that location. If I select multiple units, hold Ctrl down and right click drag, they walk. If I group, locked or unlocked and right click with Ctrl held down, they walk. If I select and left click drag with Ctrl held down, they walk :-s
Although this is purely in custom battle, unless campaign is different?

[Kayeka]

Originally posted by Genghison:

Originally posted by appanugu:

Try it - doesn't work.

Sorry, I must be completely misunderstanding. If I select a single unit and single right click on the terrain ahead of it, it walks to that location. If I select multiple units, hold Ctrl down and right click drag, they walk. If I group, locked or unlocked and right click with Ctrl held down, they walk. If I select and left click drag with Ctrl held down, they walk :-s
Although this is purely in custom battle, unless campaign is different?

It's the same in campaign. Or at least it should be, though there might be something wrong on his end.

[Varmint]

Originally posted by Kayeka:

Originally posted by Genghison:

Sorry, I must be completely misunderstanding. If I select a single unit and single right click on the terrain ahead of it, it walks to that location. If I select multiple units, hold Ctrl down and right click drag, they walk. If I group, locked or unlocked and right click with Ctrl held down, they walk. If I select and left click drag with Ctrl held down, they walk :-s
Although this is purely in custom battle, unless campaign is different?

It's the same in campaign. Or at least it should be, though there might be something wrong on his end.

ah yeah, I'm the one not being clear - as usual lol sorry.

Two ways to make your units move:
Click with mouse
and hotkeys on Keyboard.

What I was terming "step" move (think I picked this up from some other game maybe?)
is (default Rome2) Up Arrow key for about a unit's default width worth of forward movement. There are also strafe keys and rotate keys - and about face key - default J - which isn't exactly an in place about face - but rather a hinge flip over the front rank. anyway, I digresss )

In Shogun2 and earlier - you could use the Arrow key to *walk* forward - just a scooch.
But, I haven't found a way to do this in Rome2 - as the default is Run - and global run "R" key and ctrl key with click - doesn't seem to work for me with the Arrow Keys - to simply walk forward. (altho you can twitch stop command if you are nimble enough)
And in earlier titles - it was simply a walk - even just an bump - an inch. But in Rome2 - the minimum forward distance is a full unit's width - which makes it even worse with the always run. No idea why or what changed.

edit: sorry to make this longer, but in a way getting back around to the OP
The difference between using the keyboard and mouse is not just one of convenience. In particular, if you move multiple units - especially in locked group formation
(in large part again, OP - to avoid ever having to break the default depth by painting a move)
if you use the "step keys" - small, precise movements are possible. And this is telling especially if you have a wide line formation - and trying to move it forward. If you click - you have to be fairly accurate in figuring the center of gravity of your entire formation - otherwise, it will paint itself cattywampuss relative to the enemy lines and how you'd rather orient it. If you use the forward arrow key (and combination of other keys) - orientation is maintained - perfectly.

[Genghison]

Originally posted by appanugu:

Originally posted by Kayeka:

It's the same in campaign. Or at least it should be, though there might be something wrong on his end.

ah yeah, I'm the one not being clear - as usual lol sorry.

Two ways to make your units move:
Click with mouse
and hotkeys on Keyboard.

What I was terming "step" move (think I picked this up from some other game maybe?)
is (default Rome2) Up Arrow key for about a units default width worth of forward movement. There are also strafe keys and rotate keys - and about face key - default J - which isn't exactly an in place about face - but rather a hinge flip over the front rank. anyway, I digresss )

In Shogun2 and earlier - you could use the Arrow key to *walk* forward - just a scooch.
But, I haven't found a way to do this in Rome2 - as the default is Run - and global run "R" key and ctrl key with click - doesn't seem to work for me with the Arrow Keys - to simply walk forward. (altho you can twitch stop command if you are nimble enough)
And in earlier titles - it was simply a walk - even just an bump - an inch. But in Rome2 - the minimum forward distance is a full unit's width - which makes it even worse with the always run. No idea why or what changed.

Aaaahh...yes, I know what you mean now. And yes, I did used to find that option useful too. I think (as with some aspects of the game mechanics on here), I've just got used to "making do" with the "new feature" of select and drag.
Apologies, as you were :-)

[Major]

Damn, it's dissapointing that you can't lock file. Oh well, at least I learnt a few other handy tips.
Cheers guys.

[Berserk Belta]

@appanagu - I know what you mean with the huge minimum step size, I mostly just use click and drag now. Although to be fair it is a bit more precise than what we've had before, I like to drive stuff with the keyboard. Also, doesn't shift+cursor walk for you? I believe shift == use the "current movement speed" which you can toggle with r if you find it is running.

[Varmint]

Originally posted by Berserk Smurf:

@appanagu - I know what you mean with the huge minimum step size, I mostly just use click and drag now. Although to be fair it is a bit more precise than what we've had before, I like to drive stuff with the keyboard. Also, doesn't shift+cursor walk for you? I believe shift == use the "current movement speed" which you can toggle with r if you find it is running.

Just paused in battle after trying the Shift Arrow - it works!
Thanks, man!